Referee Plays A Huge Part In Revs 3-3 Draw With Real Salt Lake

The Revolution were in action on the road Monday Night to face Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. This was a match where the referee was very involved in the end result of this game. Both teams had players ejected at different times, and their were controversial decisions made. The referee played a huge part in the Revs 3-3 draw with Real Salt Lake.

The controversy in this match began very early. In the 3rd minute, Matt Reis sent a goal kick very long, in which Benny Feilhaber took into the box. Real Salt Lake Defender, Nat Borchers appeared to have taken down Feilhaber. Referee Yader Reyes pointed to the spot, and gave a penalty kick. He also gave a red card to Borchers, and he was ejected from the match.

Rajko Lekic calmly took the penalty kick, and scored to give the Revs a 1-0 lead. The Revs would also have another advantage at this point as RSL were down a man. The controversy of this situation is when a replay was showed, it was revealed that Borchers actually kicked the ball off of Feilhaber. It should have been a goal kick, and no red card should have been given. The Revs caught a lucky break, and were up early in this game.

The Revs would increase their lead in the 16th minute. Chris Tierney took a set piece from a decent distance away from the net. His low shot got by the RSL wall set up, and then RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando to increase the Revs lead. Shockingly the Revs were then up on the road 2-0.

RSL started to fight back, and their resolve being down a man was pretty impressive. They really started to possess the ball. At times it seemed they were up a man in this match.

Their hard work paid off in the 24th minute. RSL had a set piece from a very dangerous area, just outside of the box. Andy Williams had a shot that hit the post, and was followed up by Will Johnson, who shot the ball into the back of the net. The Revs were then up 2-1.

The game was almost level before the half ended when Jamison Olave had a great header that was saved by Matt Reis. This shot came off of a corner kick in the 40th minute. The Revs dodged a bullet, and minutes later ended the half with a 2-1 lead.

The second half had its share of controversy as well. In the 54th minute, Kevin Alston was called for a hand ball inside of the box. RSL were awarded a penalty kick. Alvaro Saborio scored to tie the match. The game early in the second half was then level at 2-2.

To the Revs credit they continued to attempt to push forward. Their hard work would pay off in the 63rd minute. Feilhaber would take a set piece, in which Shalrie Joseph would head it off the post, and into the net. The Revs were then up 3-2.

The drama and controversy would continue. In the 67th minute, Ryan Cochrane was called for his second yellow card, and ejected from the match. Real Salt Lake would take advantage of the situation.

In the 83rd minute, Saborio would set up Fabian Espindola, and he would beat Reis to level the match at 3-3. There would be some nervous final minutes as RSL were pushing for the game winner. However, the Revs would hang on to get themselves a point. The game ended with a 3-3 draw.

It is always good to get any points on the road. However, this was a lost opportunity for the Revs, as they were given an advantage early in this game. The referee really affected this match, and the Revs should have taken even more advantage of his decisions. Coach Stephen Nicol might look back at this game not too fondly.

Even though the Revs scored 3 goals, at times they were very sloppy, and gave away the ball too easily. Also, being a man down RSL were controlling possession, even when they were down 2 goals. The Revs have some serious work to do if they want to salvage their season.

The Revs will next be in action at Gillette Stadium in a friendly with Manchester United. The match takes place on July 13th.

New England Revolution: Matt Reis, Darrius Barnes (Kenny Mansally 46), A.J. Soares, Ryan Cochrane, Kevin Alston (Didier Domi 86), Chris Tierney, Benny Feilhaber, Shalrie Joseph , Pat Phelan, Sainey Nyassi (Zak Boggs 65), Rajko Lekic